OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Turkey: Floods
8 November 2006


This situation report is based on information received from the UN
Resident Coordinator's Office in Turkey.

Situation

1. Over the last week, rivers swollen by torrential rains have caused
flash floods across Turkey.  The worst affected areas have been the
south-eastern provinces of =AAanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Sirnak and Batman;
however parts of Istanbul and Mersin provinces have also been affected.
Flooding began on 28 October, and by 5 November 39 people had been
reported killed, 8 people remained missing, 988 houses had been damaged,
and schools were closed for two days in affected areas.  An estimated
63,000 people have been affected. The highest death toll was in the city
of Batman.

2. Floods also destroyed bridges and roads, caused telephone and power
failures and killed hundreds of livestock.

National and International Response

3. Government of Turkey aid agencies have provided food for 6,000 people
in Batman, and 1,200 military troops have joined local rescue services
to evacuate those in danger across the affected provinces.  Local
authorities opened municipal buildings, including sports centres, to
house evacuated families.  The Directorate General has sent 3,075
blankets, 200 tents, 3 mobile kitchens, 150 beds and 100 camping beds to
assist with the relief effort.  The Government has also allocated a
further 1 million YTL (USD 690,000) to cities affected by the floods.
Governmental bodies, including the General Directorate of Highways, are
working to clear debris and damage on the roads blocked by the flooding.

4. The Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS) has sent relief items, a
mobile kitchen, support personnel and logistics material to Ceylanpinar
where it is providing non-food items, hot food and basic health care.
Relief items, water and 2 mobile kitchens have been sent to Surac
County, =AAanliurfa Province; together with food parcels.  Mobile
kitchens, food rations and other relief items have also been distributed
in the Cinar and Bismil districts of Diyarbakir Province, the Silopi and
Uludere districts of Sirnak province, and the town of Batman.

5. TRCS, in coordination with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
Disaster Coordination Centre, has provided bedding to affected
populations in Istanbul province.

6. The UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Team has been
mobilized to review needs and response. OCHA is coordinating with the
Team and remains in close contact with the UN RC office and will provide
further information as it becomes available. This situation report,
together with additional information on other ongoing emergencies, is
also available on http://www.reliefweb.int.

Tel. +41-22-917 1234
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  GVA - Ms. Rachel Scott-Leflaive, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1915
  NYC - Mr. Ignacio Leon-Garc, direct Tel. +1-917-367 9960

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elisabeth Byrs, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Direct Tel. +1-917-367 5126

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